The last time I saw my first love was twelve years ago. We fell hard and fast, but it didn’t stop me from leaving.
I never expected to see her again, but when I move back to my small hometown, there’s no avoiding it—especially since her dad’s my new boss.
The more time we spend together, the more I want a second chance to be the man she deserves. As old sparks resurface, we grow closer. Though … grow closer. Though she denies she feels the same, I notice the way her body reacts when I’m near.
Gemma isn’t mine—yet—but I’m willing to risk everything for her.
KEEPING YOU AWAY is book 1 in the Tyler & Gemma duet and must be read first.
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Keeping You Away is Book 1 of Tyler and Gemma’s Duet. It’s a slow-burn sister’s best friend/second chance romance with all the small town vibes. Tyler enlisted in the Army right after high school graduation. During his deployment his little sister’s best friend, Gemma, began writing him letters. Their relationship gradually developed from friendship to more. Tyler and Gemma began dating once he returned home from his tour. They spent three months together before Tyler left. He felt there was more out there for him than his his small hometown in Alabama had to offer. He asked Gemma to go with him but understood when she didn’t feel as though she could leave her friends and family behind, so they went their separate ways.
Fast forward 12 years later and Tyler is released from prison after serving a 5 year sentence for a crime he was framed for. He ends up back in his hometown working for Gemma’s father (and also with Gemma.) Knowing that Gemma is engaged to another man, Tyler tries to distance himself from Gemma. Despite their best efforts, they continue to be drawn together. Tyler and Gemma never really truly moved on from each other. Throughout this, there is tension growing in Gemma and her fiancé’s relationship. The more Robert continues to pressure Gemma to move in together and to move up the wedding date the more withdrawn she becomes and the more Gemma starts to think their engagement might be a mistake.
While Tyler and Gemma’s chemistry grows and Gemma’s relationship with her fiancé seems to diminish, Tyler’s past starts to resurface—putting himself and possibly Gemma in danger. The book ends just as Tyler’s past and present collide. Yes, this book ends in a cliffy…but book 2 is already available for your reading/listening pleasure so you don’t have to wait to find out what happens.
I’m excited to see how Tyler handles his past threatening his (possible) future while hoping that Gemma comes to her senses regarding her relationship with her fiancé. Overall, another great read from Kennedy Fox. While this is a little bit different than the Bishop Brothers and Circle B Ranch books I’ve previously read/listened to by them, I was hooked from the beginning all the same. Same small town charm with banter, heat, and secondary characters you come to love that is typically expected from the duo, just with a little suspense thrown in. I’ve yet to read/listen to a book written by them that I haven’t enjoyed.
Lia Langolia and Tor Thom did an excellent job narrating as Tyler and Gemma. Tor’s voice was gruff and gravelly, just as I imagined Tyler’s voice to be in my head. Lia had just enough of a hint of southern accent to be perfect as Gemma (who is an Alabama native).
This book was so good and completely sucked me into the book world. It was my first Fox book, and I can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on her writing for so long! The storyline is fantastic and the both of the narrators are awesome! When the ending credits rolled, my jaw dropped! A cliffhanger!? I mean, I totally get it and it works with the story, but I NEEDED that next book right away. You absolutely need to read it!
I really enjoyed this first book in the Ex-Con Duet series and that ending man! I knew Robert was no good but that just confirmed it. Though there is a lot of angst in this book I loved the foundation that was being built for the second part of the duet series. I can’t gush too much about this book because I don’t want to give anything away but I love the interactions between Tyler and Gemma. I also love that we see Maddie and Liam sporadically throughout the book. It gives a solid connection to the previous duet series. Can’t wait for the next one!
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
Wow, good Lord, Tyler… what a man! He’s got it hard for Gemma. I do feel like I’m missing something… I’m thinking we get more of a beginning in Liam and Maddie’s story. I still feel like I got their story… don’t get me wrong but I know I’m missing a bit more. Anyways, my point in mentioning that is to recommend that you start at the connected books first. I bet it will make it a crazy rounded story. As it is, I totally plan on getting all the audios and listening to all of the stories! I like this group of friends though. They’re all honest and real. There’s a love there, a friendship that I can feel in the words. Kennedy Fox has a way of bringing romance out as well as the humor and fun.
Lia Langola and Tor Thom really brought Gemma and Tyler to life. The narrators really brought out the struggle, the push/pull struggle they had. I could definitely see Thom “being” Tyler. He has that real strong voice that really reminds me of a military man… I know, I’m totally being clichéd. I can’t help it. I enjoy a good strong voiced man. We can’t forget about Lia Langola now, can we. Langola brought Gemma to life so vividly. I felt her anxiety over her feelings with Tyler. I’m eagerly, LIKE EAGERLY, awaiting the next book.
Loved it!!!
Kennedy Fox has done it again. I have listened to several other stories of theirs. I have been looking forward to Tyler’s story since he was in Liam and Madelyn’s story. I truly enjoy the story line and dialogue. It was slow to start but kept me interested. Robert is awful!! I can not wait to listen to the next book to see how it ends.
excellent beginning to duet and series
Wow, I listened to that in one sitting. While it was a slow burn I didn’t think it was slow or missing anything. You will probably be wondering what is wrong with Gemma because how can you not see what’s going on but it doesn’t make you hate her. Thought Tyler was awesome. Excellent character development and interesting side characters that I can’t wait for more from everyone. I did not know about Tyler’s backstory but I’m gonna have to go back and listen to Liam and Maddie’s story right away. Lia Langola and Tor Thom were excellent choices for narrators – both were fabulous.
This is my first introduction to Gemma and Tyler and overall I loved their story. It’s a second chance romance at heart but with angst oh the angsty goodness. They met and had one summer together years ago, then Tyler left and broke Gemma’s heart. Now he’s back in town working for her Father and Gemma is now engaged to a much older successful businessman named Robert.
I loved the slow burn chemistry and confusion of feelings that are explored between them as both Hero and heroine try to build a working relationship and a friendship without igniting any old feelings they have buried. This is Kennedy Fox so of course things aren’t that straight forward. Tor Thom and Lia Langola work really well together and portray the growing friendship and push and pull between the two MC’s wonderfully. We get bits and pieces of Tyler’s past slowly being unveiled and seeping into the story line that your suspicions rise that this is soon going to play a bigger part in this duet than expected. The other plot line that kept my attention was Gemma’s stilted relationship with her fiancé Robert. He’s a man that wants her to be a typical Stepford wife and that just isn’t Gemma. As the distance grows between them, her feelings for Tyler begin to fill the cracks and then the tension just builds and builds.
The one stumbling block for me was I really feel like I needed to have read previous books to appreciate all the characters here especially Tyler. The story is told in such a way that made me feel I should know who characters are, know Tyler’s past, understand established friendships. Yes this is Book 1 in Tyler and Gemma’s relationship, yes I don’t think I have missed to much in terms of their interactions. For me personally I am such a stickler for reading interconnected standalones in order that not having all that information, feeling like I was missing something just didn’t sit right. It didn’t take away from the story; but I think I would have been more immersed in this book if I had read the books that connect to this one, rather than wondering about each character I meet in Tyler’s circle of friends.
All that said I am just as curious to find out what is going to happen as the twists and mystery built up towards the end of this first book and I want to see how it’s all going to turn out.
4 Emotional Listening Stars!!
KEEPING YOU AWAY is a slow-burn, angsty second chance romance wrapped up in an intense love story. This is book 1 in the Tyler & Gemma duet and ends with a cliffhanger. It must be read first!
Tyler and Gemma’s journey is filled with suspense, angst, heartache, distrust, and much more. A real rollercoster of emotions that will get you hooked right from the start while keeping you on the edge of your seat until you have turned the last page.
I felt more connected with Tyler and my heart break for him. Being frame for doing a good deed came with a high price, one that cost him his reputation and years paying for a crime he didn’t commit. He was understandibly rough and angry at times, but he still is a good man, honest, loyal, hard working, and protective.
Gemma did nothing but make me dislike her. I couldn’t connect with her character but I’m hoping that everything changes on the conclusion of Tyler & Gemma’s story.
Lia Langola & Tor Thom did an excellent job by bringing this story to life, but Tor Thom’s performance went above and beyond. Can’t wait to see how this story ends!!
Interesting story about love lost and found and the journey to arrive there…..we hope….we have to find out in the next book.
The narrator is fabulous.
Audiobook Review:
Keeping You Away is one of those stories that had an interesting start off. It was definitely good enough to make you want to keep listening. But the more you listen, the more it builds. And the more dragged into the plot I was.
I especially liked Tyler. He might have had a rough past but I was actually really enjoying learning more about him. It took me a moment to warm up to Gemma, but as the story went on I started to connect with her too. I loved this small town with everyone who knows everyone, but as expected it also had its issues. And there was just so much more going on then I initially expected.
The narrators for this were great. The deep tone of Tor Thom seemed to fit really well with Tyler and Lia Langola really brought Gemma to life.
And then that ending!!!! I desperately need book two to find out what happens next.
This review is for the audiobook
I have read this book but I loved listening to the audio books while I am in the car. I loved this one the narrators do such a great job and I cannot wait to hear part 2 of this duet.
When I listen to the audio books I love the emotion that the narrators put into reading the story. This being the first of the ex-con duet I know that there Is a lot of emotion with this story.
Don’t hesitate to listen to this book, they did a great job picking the narrators!
They shared one summer together when Tyler came home from deployment and Gemma graduated, but that was all. They haven’t seen each other in 12 years Gemma is engaged to someone else and Tyler spent the last 5 years in prison. Now he’s back and working for her father!
OMG the ending, I have not read a cliffhanger in a while and OMG……. I need to dive into the next one. I can not wait to find out what happens next. This book was fantastic. Tor Thom and Lia Langola nailed the characters perfectly. Tyler and Gemma are perfect. The whole book was amazing.
This is the first book in the Tyler & Gemma Duet, a small town romance/sister’s best friend/second chance to love. Gemma and Tyler’s journey is filled with drama, intrigue, and twists and turns. The supporting characters are great. The story ends with a big cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to listen to the next book in the duet, Needing You Close. Lia Langola and Tor Thom did a great job with the narration.
I am slightly conflicted with this one…. I wanted to LOVE it…. but it fell a little short for me. I love the sibling’s best friend books and 2nd chances are awesome! But I got really annoyed with Gemma. I really just felt like she allowed herself to be a doormat. Robert is a total jerk and for some reason she seems to think that he is the right man for her. I wanted to jump in there and give him a piece of my mind. I do not trust that guy at all and I am on edge about what he may be up to….. And honestly I kind of felt like her friends weren’t all that persuasive in getting her to admit her real feelings. Not just toward Tyler but also regarding the man she was engaged to. Basically it is just because she had her heart broken when she was younger by Tyler. I also felt like Tyler could have put a bit more pressure on her. But I guess that sometimes being frustrated is half the fun right?
And now I am itching to get into the next one! I HAVE to know what happens with Tyler and Gemma! I need to know if Tyler gives Robert the beat down he deserves. How long will it take for Gemma to stop being a doormat? Gahhhhhh!!!! I just need to know!!!
I did still love the story even if I didn’t absolutely love all the ways that the characters went about everything. The narration was good…. I was totally immersed in the story and thought that they did well with the parts they were playing.
I didn’t read Liam and Maddie’s story, so I was a little bit lost about how they all connected. Patience, grasshopper. I finally figured it out… I just had to read! I love Tyler and Gemma!!! This writing duo has a way with words that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked! All the characters, not just Tyler and Gemma, are well-rounded, relatable individuals who are multidimensional and full of life! I found myself wanting to yell at Gemma for continuing to let Robert treat her they way he did or shake Tyler for not telling Gemma about the last five years. But when they were together, oh how I loved their easy conversation as friends who have a a strong connection.
Lia Langola and Tor Thom were amazing narrating the characters! Their voices brought the characters to life in a way that I could picture them sitting in the room with me.
There are few authors whose cliffhangers I can stand, and I can count Kennedy Fox as one on the short list. Can’t wait to read how it all pans out for Tyler and Gemma!
I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.
This is the story of Tyler and Gemma, who got a second chance of love. I must confess I didn’t like the beginning very much. It was choppy and too insta-love-y for my taste. I was glad that was just the prologue though, just to tell us how they knew each other and came to fell in love. After that, we get to know them almost a decade later (if I’m not mistaken) and the romance is slow and sensual, the chemistry between them still alive. The characters are believable, the story story compelling and the plot never let you bored. Can’t wait to read the next installment!
Both narrators are amazing! I already knew their work and I’m a fan.
I need to know more about what happened in Vegas! Also Robert is so terrible! I just want to shake Gemma and tell her to leave him. can’t wait to see how this all ends.
Keeping You Away
Tyler & Gemma #1
By: Kennedy Fox
Narrated by: Lia Langola, Tor Thom
Kennedy Fox does it again! This team had me at the very start of this story when I heard Tyler and Gemma exchanged letters. There is nothing more romantic than writing to the one you love. Tyler is the brother of Gemma’s best friend. Starting out as friends, their letters were friendly banter but as time went on turned romantic. When Tyler came home, they spent the summer together. Then everything changed. After years of being heartbroken, Gemma finally gets her life together, engaged and ready to start her new life. Until a new employee starts in her father’s garage. Tyler is back, and he is ready to get his life back on track. What is Gemma going to do? Is this the second chance of a lifetime? I loved this first part of their story. It is fiery passion, uncertainty, frustration and just enough angst to keep things real. Tyler has had it tough and you can feel his need to get back to some normalcy. He has a warm personality, though at times a little jaded, but he is easy to love. Gemma is overly cautious. Her heart at stake, she isn’t easily won over, will these two get their second chance at love? Left on a cliffhanger, I have to get book up and queued to know where these two end up. I am invested in their outcome and can’t wait to see what happens,
To make this book even better, Lia Langola and Tor Thom act out this story giving us an amazing performance. Langola emotes everything Gemma is feeling from excitement of being near Tyler to the fear of losing love again, Thom captures Tyler’s personality perfectly. He brings his warm baritone voice out with a slight edge of sarcasm at times, but his passion for Gemma is always evident. This team understands their characters and gives a wonderful performance.
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This first part of a duet starring Tyler and Genna, brings us s second chance romance woven into a story which builds up its layers slowly but very surely, right up to the last word! Lia Langola and Tor Thom bring the story to life with confidence and style and add to the sense of a slowly unwinding story which becomes increasingly tense. In this sense it almost lulls you into a false sense of security before ramping up the tension from both Tyler and Genna’s points of view. I found myself wanting to shout at Genna to dump creepy Robert asap! I am now very keen to finish this story!
Absolutely loved Tyler and Gemma. Tyler is a very loyal guy to anyone he meets that means no harm to his family or friends. Gemma is such a sweetheart who is there no matter what for her friends